I appreciate your view dclaudew. In this case, I have spent substantial time with this person and heard her ideas. We do use Robert's Rules - we have bylaws that we follow and our meetings are orderly. Our financials are as in order as they will be (our PTO is very resistant to following through on becoming a 501(c)(3) even though I've brought it up just about every month (and volunteered to do the legwork).

The negativity stems from the combination of wanting to be in control and also wanting to spend as little time as possible actually *doing* anything unfortunately.

I'd like to speak up for the "negative" person (call her NP).

There is nothing in any of the previous posts that indicates any interest in NP's views. Not a single positive or negative idea is attributed to her.

Some PTSAs want to change the world but not themselves. Perhaps NP is focused on improving the PTSA before improving the school. Why not invite her to Starbucks (you pay), bring a notebook, and listen and write while she speaks? Some of her ideas might be doable and even useful. For example, does your PTSA, like many others, completely ignore the IRS' deadlines for filing a Form 990? Do you use Robert's Rules, or at least a diluted version? Do you have an agenda and monthly financial statements before meetings, and minutes afterward? Is the Wishlist of expenditures formed democratically, or arbitrarily by the person you want to be (President)?

I'm just trying to say that if there is smoke (NP's negative comments), there may be fire (real governance issues that should be addressed). Again, invite NP to coffee. She may have good ideas, or good skills (webmaster, accountant, lawyer, CRM, campaign manager, event manager, grant writer, etc). Just take an hour, back off, and listen. If it turns out she has a particular skill, invite her to use that skill in the following year.

Braves-mom-

How do you do your elections? By official ballots? I agree that it's ok if you wait as long as you have a somewhat formalized process and that as Lisa says you have other people do the counting..I would also suggest publicizing the process in a public place like your website or newsletter.

Hi Bravesmom-

Sounds like it's been an interesting year. : ) It also sounds like you have not let the previous pres' bad attitude drag you down. Good for you.

As for the elections, here is an elections FAQ that I think you'll find helpful:
www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...ficer-elections-faqs
I think the most important thing is that you have 2 to 3 members who are not running for office and a school official, possibly the principal to count the votes. If you end up counting and announcing at the meeting at least it will save you the work of sending out individual notes...

Hope it all goes well. Keep us posted!

~Lisa



Follow us on Twitter .
Connect with us on Facebook .

I hope it all works out for you next year! I am having an issue with a board member myself. She was our PTO Pres. two years ago and wanted to step down so I stepped up. Every since that moment she has been hard to deal with. Quick to tell me I did something wrong or tell me what I need to do next. While she was Pres. we were always short on money and I am proud to say we are actually saving money this year and last! However, she is still on the board with a bad attutude and only headed up two events this year..which I helped with both! Im at a loss of what to do! We have our last board meeting next monday and their are acutally new people wanting to be on the board! Do I have to share the results that night or can I send out Congrats and sorry notes later? I know a few of our members will be voting her out.

Klbrengle,
That's a little bizarre that she brought the whole family.

Stay positive! Fingers crossed for you in the elections.


~Lisa


Follow us on Twitter .
Connect with us on Facebook .